Charleston · Humane wildlife removal· Serving the Lowcountry843-212-1147
Humane · Trapped by Hand · Excluded · Warrantied

Swift Opossum Removal Services in Charleston

Virginia opossums are actually good for the ecosystem. They eat ticks and keep rodent populations in check. But when one decides your crawlspace is a good den, the parasites they carry, the odors they leave, and the damage they do become your problem. We remove them humanely and exclude them permanently.

The opossum situation in context
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Beneficial, but not welcome indoors
Opossums eat 5,000+ ticks per season and help control small rodents. We relocate them to suitable habitat rather than kill them.
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Crawlspace & deck denning
The warm, enclosed space under your home is exactly what an opossum is looking for. They'll carry in nesting material and can remain for weeks before being noticed.
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Parasite concern
Opossums carry fleas, ticks, and mites that can transfer to pets and humans. Flea infestations in crawlspaces are commonly traced to opossum activity.
About Virginia opossums in Charleston

North America's only marsupial and a frequent Lowcountry houseguest

The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the only marsupial native to North America. In the Charleston Lowcountry, they are abundant all year. They are primarily nocturnal and omnivorous, eating insects, ticks, small rodents, fruits, and carrion.

Opossums are not territorial and do not form permanent dens. They are nomadic, moving on after a few weeks in most locations. However, a warm crawlspace, an accessible area under a deck, or an open shed with pet food nearby can keep one coming back repeatedly. Females with joeys will stay in a safe location longer than solitary adults.

The damage opossums cause is primarily through their droppings and the parasites they carry. Opossum feces harbor harmful bacteria and can contaminate crawlspace air that circulates into the living space above (the stack effect). Their tendency to carry large numbers of fleas is a particular concern for households with pets.

Our removal process

How we handle opossum removals

01
Inspect & Locate
We identify the den location and all access points. Crawlspaces, under decks, sheds, and wall voids are all checked.
02
Trap by Hand
We use live cage traps appropriate to the opossum's size. Traps are checked daily to minimize stress on the animal.
03
Relocate Humanely
Opossums, mothers with joeys together, are released at a suitable habitat location away from your neighborhood.
04
Exclude & Clean
Exclusion barriers installed under decks and crawlspace vents. Den area sanitized and treated for parasites.

Related services & locations

Wildlife Control in Daniel IslandWildlife Control in CharlestonWildlife Control in James IslandCrawl Space ServicesAll Wildlife Removal Services
Interactive 3D house
See where opossums get in, in 3D

Spin our model Charleston home and every entry point opossums use lights up, with the fix for each one.

Spin the 3D house
Common questions

Opossum questions, answered.

Opossums are highly resistant to rabies because their body temperature is too low for the rabies virus to survive and replicate. They are, however, capable of carrying other parasites including fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites. They can also bite if cornered. Never handle an opossum without proper equipment.
Opossums prefer low, dark, enclosed spaces: crawlspaces under homes, the space under decks and porches, garden sheds, wood piles, and occasionally wall voids or attics. In the Lowcountry they're found all year, as the mild climate means there's no winter dormancy period.
Opossums prefer to bluff (hissing, showing teeth, or playing dead) over actual confrontation. They rarely attack unprovoked. However, a cornered opossum can bite, and their mouths host a large number of bacteria. Never attempt to pick up or handle a wild opossum.
Yes. We use careful trapping methods, working by hand, that allow us to keep a mother and her joeys together. Young opossums ride on their mother's back until they're about 5 inches long and able to fend for themselves. We time our removals to avoid separating families unnecessarily and release them together at a suitable location.
After removal, we install exclusion barriers under decks and porches using buried hardware cloth that prevents reentry while maintaining drainage. We also screen accessible crawlspace vents and address any food attractants. Unsecured garbage, pet food, and compost are the primary draws. Our exclusion work carries a 3-year warranty.
What the neighbors say

Loved by Charleston homeowners.

5.0 average across 49 Google reviews. Read all reviews

"★★★★★

They found a bat colony two contractors had missed. Sealed thirty-one gaps I didn't know existed. The attic has been silent for a year.

HR
Helen R.a month ago
"★★★★★

Showed up at midnight for a raccoon family in the chimney. Got everyone out alive, capped the flue, didn't break a thing. Worth every cent.

MT
Marcus T.2 months ago
"★★★★★

Polite, careful, didn't try to sell me a single thing I didn't need. The squirrel problem just... ended. That's all I wanted.

PS
Priya S.3 months ago
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Most folks hear it first at 3 a.m.: scratching above the bedroom, thumping across the rafters. Send the form over and a real technician will follow up to schedule your inspection.

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